Retail logistics trade union Usdaw has announced a third 24-hour stoppage at the Long Eaton DHL / Marks and Spencer distribution centre, which will begin at 5.15am on Thursday 1 July.
As the trade union explains, the continuing industrial action affects a Marks & Spencer 3PL contract operated by DHL at Long Eaton in Derbyshire. Usdaw members voted by over 90% in favour of strike action in a dispute over the amount of redundancy pay that long serving staff will receive when the site closes at the end of July.
Usdaw members are also calling on local MPs to support the striking workers and are inviting them to join the picket line.
Commenting on the strike, Ed Leach – Usdaw Area Organiser said:
“Despite the overwhelming support of members, regrettably the company has made no attempt to come back to the negotiating table. We are therefore planning to hold a further 24-hour stoppage from 5.15am on Thursday 1 July and we again appeal to the company to engage with us.
“DHL have announced their intention to close the site in July putting all staff at risk of redundancy. Long-serving employees, who have given decades of loyal service, deserve to be treated fairly through a difficult redundancy process. It is extremely disappointing that we have been forced to the last resort of industrial action by DHL’s refusal to agree that staff employed prior to July 2003 are entitled to significantly enhanced redundancy pay.
“We have tried to resolve this through ACAS, but the company still would not improve on their initial offer. So we are now looking for support from local MPs to encourage the company back to the negotiating table in an attempt to secure a resolution to the ongoing dispute.”
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